Maroons great Gorden Tallis has declared Rabbitohs star Latrell Mitchell “the best centre in the world” and backed his permanent positional switch following his Origin Game II heroics.
Mitchell was outstanding in the No.3 jersey for the Blues in their 38-18 demolition of Queensland as he continually terrorised their right edge culminating in a 32nd-minute try.
The 27-year-old is no stranger to the position at club level having won back-to-back premierships with the Roosters in 2018 and 2019 in the centres, becoming a damaging attacking threat.
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While Mitchell will run out at fullback tonight in the Rabbitohs’ Round 18 fixture against the Eels, Tallis believes it’d be a scary proposition for the superstar to make a permanent return to the centres.
“I think Latrell’s the best centre in the world and he proved that last Wednesday night,” Tallis said on NRL360 on Wednesday night.
“Stephen Crichton has got that mantle at the moment but if Latrell comes back – they say that he touches the ball the most.
“You don’t want him doing those nothing runs. You want him getting quality ball.
“Latrell with quality ball having eight runs, he can have a bigger impact on the game than what he does (at the moment).”
When quizzed on the move, interim Souths coach Ben Hornby poured cold water on the switch and was adamant Mitchell would remain at fullback.
NRL360 host Braith Anasta believes Hornby should reconsider as Souths attempt a late semi-finals charge after winning four of their past five games.
“Ben Hornby said at the press conference ‘he touches the ball more at fullback’, but it’s about the quality of touch,” Anasta said.
“You want him touching the ball at the right time and I’ve said it a lot at the right space of the field – in the 20 metre zone, in the attacking zone.
Gordy: Latrell best centre in the world | 02:19
“You want him getting quality ball when he’s fit and he’s not tired and he’s got plenty of energy and he’s the most potent player in the game.”
Fox League’s James Hooper agreed, but was wary if incoming coach Wayne Bennett, who helped bring Mitchell to Redfern in 2020, would support the move.
“I think what State of Origin showed us as well is that the time he has spent at fullback has improved his ball-playing out of sight – he’s so much silkier,” he said.
“His presence on that edge was immediately causing concern for Queensland and it would be the same at cub level.
“He’s such a dominant figure. You know what he can do with the ball and he’s destructive when he runs. I think he’s better in the centres.
“Don’t forget Wayne was the one who developed him into a fullback as well.
“When he shifted across from the Chooks, he’d only been a centre until then.
“There was a lot of debate when he initially signed and began feeling his way as a fullback perhaps it wasn’t his best position.
“And then he really dominated and went on a run and made that grand final and so he solidified it. I would be thinking Wayne likes Latrell as a fullback.”
Anasta believes Bennett’s close relationship with Mitchell could sway the star to change position should the master coach want to move him there.
“If anyone can pull off the manoeuvre of moving him from fullback to centre it’s Wayne (Bennett),” he said.
“If Wayne gets in his ear and has a pre-season and says ‘this is best for you’ he’s probably the right guy to get him to makes such a significant move, right?”
WHY SLATER NEEDS TO SEND RAIDERS GUN BIG SOS
Rugby league legend Gorden Tallis has called for Maroons coach Billy Slater to send a middle forward SOS to a rampaging Raiders enforcer following his Origin retirement.
Josh Papalii shocked the rugby league world when he announced he’d be pulling himself out of contention to represent his state, making the decision in May 2023.
The Daily Telegraph’s David Riccio claimed that Queensland were bullied by the Blues in Game II, with Michael Maguire’s side running out 38-18.
“Gordie, you’re down an enforcer and you know it. There’s no menace or bully in that pack,” Riccio said.
“No (Tom) Flegler. He would have been the man. Who’s going to stand up this time?”
For Tallis, Papalii could be the man to hit back at NSW in a heavily anticipated series decider at Suncorp Stadium.
“We got beaten up in the forwards. (We need) Josh Papalii,” Tallis said on NRL360 on Wednesday night.
“I’ve said before and I’ll say it again, there’s a phone call that needs to be made down to Canberra to say ‘can you have 20 minutes for us’.
“I’ve never seen (Papalii) get bullied and I don’t think he’s ever let Queensland down, he’s sitting there, we’re light on in the forwards.
“I would ring him and say ‘can you play 20 minutes for our state’.
Gordy: Latrell best centre in the world | 02:19
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“There was one phone call to a bloke aged 35 (Allan Langer in 2001) in England and he said what took you so long, so he (Papalii) will answer it.”
Tallis also suggested David Fifita should earn an Origin recall due to his “outstanding” form for the Titans.
Papalii has played 23 games for the Maroons between 2012 and 2022, and The Daily Telegraph’s Michael Carayannis was of the belief Papalii made his decision for a reason.
“I’ve always thought Papalii was a pseudo retirement where he was told ‘you’re not going to be picked so put your hand up for retirement’,” he said.
“There’s no doubt they were bullied (in Game II) and they miss Papalii and when Felise Kaufusi was at his best, those sort of enforcers.
“They just don’t have that at the moment Queensland.”
